Volunteer
Support for the Journey
Hundreds of refugees are resettled by CWS across North Carolina after fleeing persecution in their own home countries. Refugees often arrive with little to no English, limited familiarity with U.S. culture, and no financial resources. Their resettlement journey is long and full of challenges.
You can make their journey easier.
Volunteer to support newcomers as they rebuild their lives, and help us continue the over 40-year tradition of welcoming refugees to North Carolina
Individual Volunteer Opportunities
Practice English With Refugees
In-person or Virtual — 1-2 hrs/week
Provide refugees with the English Language skills they need to be successful. 1 on 1 English support is greatly needed to help refugees feel more comfortable in their new environment and increases their ability to find employment. Working 1 on 1 with a refugee can help give them the confidence to practice speaking English and help you meet one of your new neighbors!
Group Volunteer Opportunities
Welcome Teams
Welcome Teams are small groups of volunteers who set up and furnish apartments so that newly-arrived refugees have a safe and welcoming home for them when they arrive in Wilmington.
Community Sponsorship
Welcome newly arrived refugees to Wilmington through community sponsorship. As a community sponsor, your group of 7-10 becomes a partner with CWS to greet a refugee family at the airport, assist them in securing and furnishing initial housing, connect them with local services, and show them all of the things that make our community so special!
Volunteer Requirements
If you would like to volunteer directly with clients, we ask that volunteers are:
- Able to commit to at least 6 months of direct service
- Able to commit to approximately 1-3 hours a week of direct service
- 18 years old or older
- attend a volunteer orientation/training
- complete a background check
Some requirements may change based on the volunteer opportunity type.
